Implementing remote working system on the private sector

The UAE Government implemented remote working system in the private sector to protect employees from getting exposed to COVID-19. It prepared a set of guidelines for the private sector to follow during this time. Guidelines included reducing the physical presence of staff to 30 per cent in offices and checking the temperature of the staff and looking out for visible symptoms of the novel coronavirus twice daily.

Note: The above was implemented during the early phase of pandemic (in 2020) and was slowly phased out as the situation returned to normalcy.

From 29 March 2020 for two weeks (with a possibility of extension), Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) will implement the remote work system on the private sector companies that are registered with them. The system is being implemented to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the labour force in the UAE.

MoHRE has prepared a set of guidelines for the private sector to follow during this time. The remote work guidelines obligate the private sector companies to:

reduce the physical presence of staff to 30 per cent in offices
provide screening devices at the companies’ entrances to take temperature and check symptoms of the novel coronavirus among workforce twice on a daily basis
enforce remote work on workers whose jobs don't necessitate their physical presence in office
minimise the number of customers visiting private companies’ services centres to 30 per cent of the centres’ seating capacity, provided health and safety precautions such as maintaining sufficient distance between customers and continuous sterilisation of devices and facilities are observed
put in place a mechanism for transporting workers to and from their workplaces, ensuring that the number of transported workers should not exceed 25 per cent of the vehicle’s seating capacity
restrict gatherings and convening of cultural, social and sporting activities at the labour accommodations
minimise the number of workers at the accommodations’ canteens during meal times and maintain at least two metres’ space between each worker
provide the employees with necessary technical tools to perform work remotely.

The decision to implement the remote work system exempts a number of activities including infrastructure projects, catering, telecommunications, power, health, education, banking, food processing, health supplies manufacturing and cleaning firms.

As per the ministry, people suspected to be infected by COVID-19 should be prohibited from going to work or entering their accommodations and must be referred to relevant health authorities for a check-up and treatment.

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